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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
NORTH CAROLINA’S INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2001-03 BUDGET
“We are maintaining our commitment to education by making sure that every child in every county has every opportunity to succeed, regardless of economic condition.”
- Gov. Mike Easley
 Lower class size – Every kindergarten student will now begin his or her education in classes of reasonable size. Funding is also provided to reduce class size to 15 students in grades K-3 beginning with high priority/low performing schools where 80% of students fall below the poverty line and only 55% of students are performing at grade level. (This money was released at the Governor’s request to coincide with the start of the school year.)
 More at Four – At-risk four-year olds will have the opportunity to participate in a new community-based pre-kindergarten education program designed to help prepare them for success in school. The program will team with public and private schools, Smart Start, Head Start and community-based child care centers across the state to ensure that the greatest needs are met. More at Four will be phased-in over the next five years.
 School accountability report cards and character education – There will now be more accountability and discipline in public schools. Report cards will be distributed in January to all parents, giving them updated information about the size of their child’s class, the overall performance of the school and the certification background of their child’s teachers. Resources will be made available to expand character education programs in public schools and to develop character education training programs for teachers, principals and college students in teacher training programs.
 Teacher expense accounts – Teachers will now receive a $100 per year expense account for teachers to purchase supplies for their students.
 Distance Learning – Resources will be provided to increase enrollment in university undergraduate teaching education distance-learning programs. Teacher training and enhancement programs will be provided through outreach by the university system.
 Teacher salaries – Public school teacher salaries will be increased an average of nearly 3%. An aggressive plan to increase community college salaries will be funded.

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
NORTH CAROLINA’S INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2001-03 BUDGET
“We are maintaining our commitment to education by making sure that every child in every county has every opportunity to succeed, regardless of economic condition.”
- Gov. Mike Easley
 Lower class size – Every kindergarten student will now begin his or her education in classes of reasonable size. Funding is also provided to reduce class size to 15 students in grades K-3 beginning with high priority/low performing schools where 80% of students fall below the poverty line and only 55% of students are performing at grade level. (This money was released at the Governor’s request to coincide with the start of the school year.)
 More at Four – At-risk four-year olds will have the opportunity to participate in a new community-based pre-kindergarten education program designed to help prepare them for success in school. The program will team with public and private schools, Smart Start, Head Start and community-based child care centers across the state to ensure that the greatest needs are met. More at Four will be phased-in over the next five years.
 School accountability report cards and character education – There will now be more accountability and discipline in public schools. Report cards will be distributed in January to all parents, giving them updated information about the size of their child’s class, the overall performance of the school and the certification background of their child’s teachers. Resources will be made available to expand character education programs in public schools and to develop character education training programs for teachers, principals and college students in teacher training programs.
 Teacher expense accounts – Teachers will now receive a $100 per year expense account for teachers to purchase supplies for their students.
 Distance Learning – Resources will be provided to increase enrollment in university undergraduate teaching education distance-learning programs. Teacher training and enhancement programs will be provided through outreach by the university system.
 Teacher salaries – Public school teacher salaries will be increased an average of nearly 3%. An aggressive plan to increase community college salaries will be funded.